Fire retardant and a method for production thereof

ABSTRACT

A fire retardant composition and a method of producing thereof. The composition comprising water, a highly concentrated alkali, at least one of or a combination thereof, of anhydrous citric acid, citric acid, acetic acid or a related salt thereto. The composition also includes phosphate as well as an alkali metal salt or compound from at least one of lithium, sodium and/or potassium cation in combination with at least one of an acetate, bicarbonate, carbonate and/or hydroxide anion. The composition is then adjusted to a pH value around 6.5% to 7.5% by adjusting the amounts of highly concentrated alkali and/or the citric acid/acetic acid respectively.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fire retardant composition and amethod of producing thereof. More specifically, the invention isdirected to a fire retardant composition having endothermic propertiesto absorb considerable amounts of heat in association with the initialstages of a fire, and a method of producing such a composition.

BACKGROUND ART

Traditionally, the hazardous effects of fire have been combated by theuse of water. However, water as a sole agent is often unsuitable orineffecient for combating certain fires. Hence, to improve theefficiency of water as a combating agent against fire, various materialsand chemicals have been added to water.

For example, a physical particle suspension systems, such as liquid claysuspensions or water soluble chemicals to create mixtures that includesurfactants to aid wetting, dispersion or penetration, foaming agentssuch as low boiling point chemicals, or methods such as theincorporation of compressed gases to produce foams have all been used incombination with water to improve its combating effect against fire andthe fire's hazardous effects.

Nonetheless, many of these materials and properties of the modifiedwater composition suffer inherent disadvantages, as such compositionsare characterised in being toxic, corrosive, and/or detriment to theenvironment.

For example, the phosphates of sodium, potassium or ammonium whenincorporated with water to improve the water's ability to combat fireresults in the water having a relatively low thermal decompositiontemperature, and thus under certain conditions will produce toxic gasesas well as leaving a sticky residue during use.

Further, halogens are also conventionally added to improve theefficiency of water as a fire combating agent, but these also presentdisadvantages in respect to the environment, as such halogens canproduce toxic gases and incur damage to the earth's ozone layer.

Hence, these conventionally known fire retardant compositions containingthe above chemicals, as well as conventional brominated or phosphateester flame retardants, all potentially involve a serious risk tobiological life and its associated genetic structure.

In the context of this invention fire retardant is used to denote achemical product that can prevent the ignition of fire or itsdevelopment by binding considerable quantities of heat energy. The fireretardant provides a surface protection that can be applied to materialso as to protect such material against the incident of fire and theassociated open flame. This protection of the material against the openflame by not becoming material to fuel the fire, thereby prevents thefurther spread of the open flames of the fire.

Hence, the problem still remains for a fire retardant composition toprotect the surface of a material it is applied to and also to limit thespread of fire by restricting the ability of the open flame to travelover the protected surface, while still remaining inherentlyenvironmentally friendly, inexpensive to produce and potentially removethe serious risk of injury, if the composition comes in contact withhuman skin or is swallowed.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a fire retardantcomposition that is naturally fully biodegradable and is able to absorbconsiderable amounts of heat energy, for example that heat associatedwith the initial stages of a fire.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for theproduction of such a fire retardant composition.

A still further object of the present invention is to overcome, or atleast substantially ameliorate some of the disadvantages andshortcomings of conventional fire retardant compositions and methods ofproducing thereof that have been previously made available, oralternatively, at least provide the public with an improved fireretardant composition and a method of producing thereof to thosepresently known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one form of the invention there is provided a fireretardant composition comprising:

-   -   (a) water in an amount at least sufficient to dissolve the        following (b) to (e) water soluble components up to an amount to        be non corrosive,    -   (b) a highly concentrated alkali, selected from a group,        consisting of at least one of, or a combination thereof, of        sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or lithium hydroxide,    -   (c) at least one of, or a combination thereof, of anhydrous        citric acid, citric acid, acetic acid or a related salt thereto,    -   (d) a phosphate,    -   (e) an alkali metal salt or compound selective from at least one        of, or in combination with lithium, sodium and/or potassium        caton in combination with at least one of an acetate,        bicarbonate, carbonate and/or hydroxide anion,    -   wherein said composition is adjusted to a pH value between 6.5        to 7.5 by an amount of (b) and/or (c) respectively.

An advantage of such a fire retardant composition is that it is able toabsorb large quantities of heat energy and therefore can be applied as asurface protection to materials to prevent ignition, reignition, orspread of the fire.

A further advantage is that the composition includes ingredients thatare commercially readily available and inexpensive.

A further advantage of such a composition is that the fire retardantcomprising the water with chemicals (b) to (e) is environmentallyfriendly.

Advantageously, the major components of the composition will readilyundergo biodegradation, as the composition is near neutral in terms ofpH value and is an ionic water soluble solution of non toxicingredients, there is no adverse skin effect, if contact with the useris made.

A still further advantage is that the components that make up the fireretardant composition do not contain any known toxic or casemogenicsubstances and hence such composition may be classified as “nonhazardous” according to Work Safe Australia criteria.

A still further advantage of such a fire retardant composition is thatas the composition is a near neutral pH it reduces or eliminatescorrosion effect. By reducing or eliminating corrosion effects, the fireretardant composition may be applied in applications such as bushfirecontrol or hose/pipe distribution systems such as a sprinkler network ina building.

The Community has considerable interest in controlling the incidence ofuncontrolled spreading of fires. Presently such forest fires arecontrolled by the introduction of what are known as “fire breaks” in theforests and on the ground, and by spraying the foliage in these regionswith a flame retardant. Nonetheless, as discussed above the problem withthese conventionally known fire retardant compositions, is that they areinherently environmentally unfriendly, and therefore potentially maydamage or kill material to which it is being applied to.

However, the fire retardant composition of the present invention byvirtue of the components making up said composition, allows for the fireretardant to be placed onto plant foliage or the ground within theforest without adverse environmental effects. Since the environment isnot in any way exposed to any toxic or harmful substances present in thefire retardant composition, there are no risks of future damage to theforest or the land by the application of the composition.

The flame retardant composition of this invention provides an improvedalternative to the fire retardants that are currently used for activespreading through a sprinkler system when there is a risk of theincident of fire. Through the absence of environmental toxins and theextremely good energy absorbing ability of the fire retardantcomposition of this invention, there is provided a safe and practicalcomposition that may be placed in environments that are characterise by,for example, “hot working” associated with welding or cutting processes.Advantageously, the same situation is true for equivalent environmentsfor example storage locations which readily house and contain flammableproducts such as wood, paper and cellulose.

Coal dust in combination with methane gas constitutes a serious risk inthe coal industry, and the flame retardant according to the inventionshould significantly reduce the risk for ignition of the coal dust andsubsequent explosion.

A still further advantage of the fire retardant composition of theinvention is that it may be used with readily flammable textiles withoutinvolving any disadvantages with respect to the colour or design of thetextile.

In preference, the fire retardant composition highly concentrated alkaliis at a concentration of greater than 80%.

In preference, the acetic acid is a concentrate and is at aconcentration level of above 90%.

In preference, the fire retardant composition is characterised in thatthe phosphate is a tetra potassium pyro phosphate.

Preferably, the tetra potassium pyro phosphate is of a highlyconcentrated form of above 98% in order to avoid the formation ofphosphate esters. The disadvantage of the creation of phosphate estersis due in part to the environmental risk these esters present tobiological tissue.

In preference, the fire retardant composition further comprisesanhydrous Dipotassium carbonate.

An advantage of having the dipotassium carbonate included in the fireretardant composition is that it constitutes an additional component forstabilising the composition.

In preference, the fire retardant composition further comprises asoftening agent. Preferably a surfactant having the equivalent or thesame effect as Ampholak YCE Berol.

An advantage of having the fire retardant composition including asoftener is that in certain applications it improves the compositionsability to adhere to certain surfaces to be protected. For example, whenthe fire retardant composition is applied to textiles, the softenerprovides for efficient spreading of the composition into the depths ofthe fibres making up the textile.

In preference, the fire retardant composition has the compositionadjusted for a resultant specific gravity in the range of 1.1 to 1.5.Preferably, the specific gravity of the composition is about 1.3.

In preference, the alkali metal salt or compound of the fire retardantcomposition is potassium acetate.

In preference, the fire retardant composition comprises the range ofabout 28% to 38% by weight of water.

In preference, the fire retardant composition comprises the range of15-25% of the highly concentrated alkali. Preferably, the highlyconcentrated alkali is potassium hydroxide.

In preference, the fire retardant composition includes a combination ofacetic acid and citric acid. Preferably, the composition comprises arange of about 8-13% by weight of the acetic acid. Further, thecomposition preferably comprises a range of about 17-24% by weight ofthe citric acid.

In preference, the fire retardant composition comprises a range of about6-10% of dipotassium carbonate.

In preference, the phosphate included in the fire retardant compositionis tetra potassium pyro phosphate. Preferably, the composition comprisesa range of about 1.5 to 3% by weight of tetra potassium pyro phosphate.

In preference, the fire retardant composition comprises a range of about3 to 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate. Preferably, if a softener is added tothe composition for more efficient spreading of the retardant ontomaterial it will be in the range of 0.5 to 1.5% by weight of saidcomposition.

In a further form of the invention, there is a method for producing afire retardant composition in that the following components are added insequence to a vessel under stirring;

-   -   (a) water in an amount at least sufficient to dissolve the        following (b) to (e) water soluble components up to an amount to        be non corrosive,    -   (b) a highly concentrated alkali, selected from a group,        consisting of at least one of, or a combination thereof, of        sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or lithium hydroxide,    -   (c) at least one of, or a combination thereof, of anhydrous        citric acid, citric acid, acetic acid or a related salt thereto,    -   (d) a phosphate,    -   (e) an alkali metal salt or compound selective from at least one        of, or in combination with lithium, sodium and/or potassium        cation in combination with at least one of an acetate,        bicarbonate, carbonate and/or hydroxide anion,

whereby the added components are adapted such that the final product hasa pH value within the range of 6.5 to 7.5 and a density within the rangeof 1.2 to 1.4.

In a further form of the invention there is provided a method forproducing a fire retardant composition characterized in that thefollowing components are added in sequence to the vessel under stirring:

(c) water;

(d) potassium hydroxide;

(e) acidic acid;

(f) citric acid;

(g) dipotassium carbonate;

(h) tetra potassium pyro phosphate

(i) sodium hydrogen carbonate;

(j) softener

whereby, the added components are adapted such that the final producthas a pH value within the interval of 6.5 to 7.5 and a density withinthe range of 1.2 to 1.4.

In preference, the method of producing the fire retardant composition isfurther characterised in that the components added under stirring aresimultaneously influenced by an energy wave, generated mechanically,during the simultaneous influence of a variable magnetic field, appliedexternally.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To further illustrate this invention, a series of fire retardantcompositions were prepared with naturally fully degradable organic acidsand non organic alkali's that are mixed during stirring in a vessel,giving rise to chemical reactions, together with the addition ofsubstances that stabilize the chemical reactions, such that the saltformed and the overall characteristics of the fire retardant compositionhave an endo thermic property.

The design to produce a final product with an optimal endo thermicproperty leads to the production process comprising exothermicreactions. Thus, large quantities of heat are developed during themixing procedure. The use of the flame retardant compositions thatcontain only naturally occurring raw materials, with this no known riskto biological health, increases the opportunity for general use of theflame retardant composition produced by the methods described below.

Nonetheless, the following examples are for illustrative purposes only,and is recognised that minor changes and/or alterations might be madethat are not immediately disclose herein. It is to be understood that tothe extent that any such changes do not materially alter the finalproduct or its functionality, such changes are considered as fallingwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claimsthat follow.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES Example 1

The components that are included in the flame retardant compositiontogether form an organic salt with a weakly basic pH in the region of6.5 to 7.5, preferably 7.1 and a density within the region of 1.2 to1.4, preferably 1.3. Such limits make it possible to apply thecomposition using simple known methods within most areas of possibleapplication.

Example 1 is based on the mixing of non organic solutions with organicacids with a strong development of chemical heat (an exothermicreaction). By the addition of a fluid (such as water in Examples 1, 2)to a vessel that allows stirring in one plane of rotation (x,y) and bymaintaining the stirring of the water such that the fluid itselfrotates, advantageous conditions are created for an efficient mixing ofthe substances that are included in the composition and that involve anexothermic reaction.

The components listed below by weight will be added to the watercomponent which has been placed in a high speed mixing vessel. Thosevalues listed are a percentage by weight of the total fire retardantcomposition:

Water 33%

Potassium Hydroxide 21%

Acidic Acid 10%

Citric Acid 21%

Potash 8%

Tetra Potassium Pyro Phosphate 2%

Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate 4%

Softener 1%

The water component is placed in a mixing vessel and the othercomponents added in the sequence listed below.

To the water is added a stream directed in towards to the centre ofrotation of the water, of a highly concentrated (more than 87%)potassium hydroxide. With the addition of the highly concentrated alkalisuch as in the example, potassium hydroxide, a chemical reaction and theassociated exothermic reaction will be achieved with this type ofmixing.

This relevant mixture is rotated and a directed stream of a highlyconcentrated acidic acid (above 96%) is added during vigorous stirring,whereby an exothermic reaction again arises.

A naturally occurring citric acid, completely free of water, is thenadded to the mixture which remains under continued rotation.

Dipotassium carbonate also known as potash and completely free of water,is then added during continued rotation. The carbonate constitutes animportant component for stabilizing the mixture.

Phosphate is then added in a very low fraction as indicated above atabout 2%. The phosphate is primarily chosen in the form of tetrapotassium pyrophosphate and in a highly concentrated form (above 99.5%)in order to avoid the addition of phosphate esters. This is mainly dueto the environmental risk of using phosphate esters. The tetra potassiumpyrophosphate is added during vigorous stirring.

Sodium hydrogen carbonate is added after the addition of the phosphatein order to create a further stable mixture. It should be noted that 10%of the chemical raw materials are released in the form of carbon dioxideduring the chemical processes.

In this example a softener is added to the composition,

The pH of the final product, for example 7.1, is adjusted to the desiredvalue by the addition of potassium hydroxide or acetic acid.

The fire retardant composition is finally checked with respect to itsdensity. The density should be approximately 1.3.

It has proved to be practically applicable that components added duringstirring are simultaneously influenced by an energy wave, generatedmechanically, during the simultaneous influence of a variable magneticfield, applied externally.

Example 2

In this example of a further illustrated form of the invention a fireretardant composition of a di-alkali-metal citrate salt in which thealkali-metal cation is selected from the Group 1 A alkali-metalslithium, sodium and potassium and having a resultant pH value in therange of 6.5 to 7.5, by the addition of one or more Group 1Aalkali-metal basic salts or compounds selected from the cations lithium,sodium and potassium, and the anions acetate, bicarbonate, carbonate andhydroxide.

The preferred citrate salt is di-potassium citrate and the preferredbasic salt is potassium acetate. The retardant salt or salt mixture mayoptionally include a small amount of tetra potassium pyro-phosphate,which is generally considered to be the least potentially harmful of thephosphate family, to improve performance stability and endothermiccapacity at higher temperatures.

The retardant may optionally include additional neutralising orbuffering compounds such as, for example, sodium bicarbonate and/orpotassium carbonate.

The retardant has a pH value in the range of 6.5 to 7.5 and a specificgravity value in the range of 1.2 to 1.4, and a typical analysis(approximate values) of the retardant when made as indicated in Example2 is pH=7.15, SG=1.365. Citrate salt 10% Acetate salt 28% Phosphate salt 2% Sodium Bicarbonate  3% Water 47%

It should be noted that unless otherwise indicated, all percentages arepercentages by weight referred to molecular weights, and all pH valuesand specific gravity values are in reference to measurements at 20° C.It should also be noted that the high salt concentrations will incur the“salt-effect” in respect of pH measurements. Solubility data should beconsulted and taken into account for formulations in accordance withthis example.

The retardant may be manufactured from the raw material ingredientcitric acid by controlled reaction with a basic salt or compoundselected from the Group 1A alkali-metal cations of lithium, sodium andpotassium, an the anions acetate, bicarbonate, carbonate and hydroxide,to produce di-alkali-metal citrate.

Citric acid has a molecular weight of 192.070, a solubility of 622 gm/1(approx 3 gmw citric acid/55 gmw H₂O), and a pH in solution in water ofbetween about 1.3 to about 2.0. It exhibits a temperature depression onsolution (endothermic). Reaction of citric acid with basic substancesgenerates considerable heat energy which is accompanied by frothing orfoaming and care must be exercised to control the rate of reactantaddition to keep the temperature down and avoid excessive foaming. Inaddition, the use of stainless steel mixing vessels and efficient mixingtechniques will aid in heat dissipation and foam dispersion as well asincreasing the efficiency of reaction.

The following steps illustrate various aspects of the reactions involvedin the second example, and of a method of manufacturing.

Step 1C₆H₈O₇+2KOH+18 H₂O=K₂C₆H₆O₇+20H₂O+Heat192.070+112.216+324.288=268.254+360.320=628.57442.7%+57.5%=100%

Solution of 1 gmw of citric acid in 18 gmw of water gave a pH of about2.0.

Controlled addition of 2 gmw of potassium hydroxide and keeping thetemperature under 50° C. results in the formation of mono-potassiumcitrate up to about pH 3.5 and then di-potassium citrate from about pH3.5, up to about pH 5.2.

A similar reaction comprising 9C₆H₈O₇+18KOH+50 H₂O resulted in a pH ofabout 5.6

Step 2

In a similar manner to step 1 but using lithium carbonate as the basicreactant with citric acid, namely,C₆H₈O₇+Li₂C O₃+18 H₂O=Li₂H₆O₇+19 H₂O+CO₂192.070+73.891+324.288=203.934+342,304+44.011=590.24934.6%+58.0%+7.4%=100%

As the solubility of lithium carbonate is very low at 1.3 gm/l (1 gmwLi₂CO₃/313 gmw H₂O), the citric acid is added to the water and then thelithium carbonate added as reactant. Less heat is generated in thisreaction but the CO₂ evolution causes a considerable volume expansion asfoam which must be mitigated with efficient mixing or stirring. As CO₂is a “greenhouse” gas it should be collected for other use and preventedfrom entering the atmosphere. The pH of the resultant di-lithium citrateis about 4.5.

Step 3

In a similar manner,2CH₃COOH+Li₂CO₃+8H₂O=2 CH₃COOLi+9H₂O+CO₂resulting at pH about 5.8.

Step 4

To 10 gmw of H₂O is added 2 gmw of KOH slowly to control the heat ofsolution and keep the temperature below about 50° C. Then 1 gmw ofacetic acid is slowly added to produce 1 gmw of potassium acetateCH₃COOK, at a pH of about 9.5.CH₃COOH+KOH+10 H₂O=CH₃COOK+11 H₂O+HEAT60.054+56.108+180.160=98.146+198.176=296.32233.1%+66.5%=100%

Step 5

In a similar manner to step 4,18 CH₃COOH+18 KOH+50 H₂O=18 CH₃COOK+68 H₂O+HEAT1080.972+1009.944+900.800=1766.628+1255.088=2991.71659.1%+40.9%=100%

This step reflects the minimum solubility requirement of KOH

Step 6

Solid CH₃COOK is dissolved in water which results in an alkalinesolution having a pH of from about 8.7, up to about 11.1 at the limit ofsolubility which is 2530 gm/l or 25 CH₃COOK/55 H₂O. 18 CH₃COOK is addedto 68 H²O and dissolved. 18 KOH dissolved in 130 H₂O is then addedfollowed by slow addition of solid citric acid. The reaction may besummarised18 CH₃COOK+9 K₂C₆H₆O₇+216 H_(2l O)1766.628+2414.286+3891.456=8072.37021.9%+29.9%+48.2%=100%

Step 7

The ingredients are mixed in the following order: Water (pH 6.5) 33% KOH(minimum 85% lye) 21% CH₃COOH (minimum 96%) 10% Citric acid C₆H₈O₇anhydrous 21%

At this stage the pH was measured at about 5.8, and SG=1.310 K₂CO₃anhydrous 8% K₄P₂O₇ (minimum 99.5%) 2% NaHCO₃ (minimum 99.5%) 4%Surfactant - Ampholak YCE Berol 1%

The pH is adjusted to the preferred value using additional amounts ofKOH K₂C O₃, or NaHCO₃, or can also be adjusted by additional amounts ofCH₃COOK, or acetic or citric acids as required.

The reactions of this example may be summarised as:180  H₂O + 18  K  O  H + 18  C  H₃C  O  O  H = 18  C  H₃C  O  O  K + 198  H₂O18  C  H₃C  O  O  K + 198  H₂O + 18  K  O  H + 9  C₆H₈O₇ = 18  C  H₃C  O  O  K + 9  K₂C₆H₈O₇ + 216  H₂O = 22% + 30% + 48%and on accounting for the additional ingredients will approximate to thetypical analysis results described above.

The retardant when stored in an internal protected environment in asealed container at room temperature has a shelf life in excess of 2years. On exposure to external unprotected Australian Autumn/Winterconditions it will biodegrade in less then 3 months.

Measurements of temperature, pH and specific gravity in respect of theforegoing examples indicate that the pH of the retardant product can bereadily adjusted or buffered to a value from about 4.5 to 6.5, andadvantage can be taken of this pH range to generate a near-neutral foamusing the known “soda” or “soda-acid” principle using appropriate ratiosof the retardant to alkali-metal salt or compound of which sodiumbicarbonate or potassium carbonate are preferred. Experiments wereconducted which showed that a considerable amount of foam can begenerated and pH measurements of the resultant foam showed that the pHwas near-neutral, within the range of 6.5 to 7.5.

The retardant of this invention is also ideal for combination with otherexpansion agents such as the protein-based agents or some of thefluoroiodocarbons (FICS) which are said to be non-toxic andenvironmentally safe. Compressed air foam systems (CAFS) using theretardant of this invention in concentrate for, i.e. formulated forminimum water content which in practical terms is about 60-75% byweight, may be particularly advantageous as a common mix ratio is 0.2%concentrate by volume producing a foam (average expansion=10) of 0.2%concentrate, 9.98% water and 98% air.

Thus the fire retardant compositions produced by the methods accordingto the invention are based upon chemical reactions between organic addsthat are fully naturally degradable and non organic alkali's, with acertain addition of substances to stabilize the reaction, with the aimof forming a salt with good endo thermic properties, suitable for thepurpose of obtaining a non toxic, water soluble fire retardant that isnaturally degradable.

Although the invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments which are set forth in considerable detail by way ofexamples 1 and 2, it should be understood that this description is byway of illustration only, and that the invention is not necessarilylimited thereto since alternative embodiments and preparation techniqueswill become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of thedisclosure.

Accordingly, modifications are contemplated which could be made withoutdeparting once again as indicated from above to the spirit and scope ofthe described invention.

1. A fire retardant composition comprising: (a) water in an amount atleast sufficient to dissolve the following (b) to (e) water solublecomponents up to an amount to be non corrosive, (b) a highlyconcentrated alkali, selected from a group, consisting of at least oneof, or a combination thereof, of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxideand/or lithium hydroxide, (c) at least one of, or a combination thereof,of anhydrous citric acid, citric acid, acetic acid or a related saltthereto, (d) a phosphate, (e) an alkali metal salt or compound selectivefrom at least one of, or in combination with lithium, sodium and/orpotassium cation in combination with at least one of an acetate,bicarbonate, carbonate and/or hydroxide anion, wherein said compositionis adjusted to a pH value between 6.5 to 7.5 by an amount of (b) and/or(c) respectively.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the concentrateof the acetic acid is above 90%.
 3. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe highly concentrated alkali is at a concentration of greater than80%.
 4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the highly concentratedalkali is potassium hydroxide.
 5. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe phosphate is tetra potassium pyro phosphate.
 6. The composition ofclaim 5 further comprising an anhydrous dipotassium carbonate.
 7. Thecomposition of claim 6 further comprising a softening agent.
 8. Thecomposition of claim 7 wherein the composition is adjusted for aresultant specific gravity in the range of 1.1 to 1.4.
 9. Thecomposition of claim 8 wherein the composition has a specific gravity ofabout 1.3.
 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the alkali metal saltor compound is potassium acetate.
 11. The composition of claim 7comprising the range of about 28% to 38% by weight of said water. 12.The composition of claim 11 comprising the range of 15% to 25% by weightof the highly concentrated alkali.
 13. The composition of claim 12wherein said highly concentrated alkali is potassium hydroxide.
 14. Thecomposition of claim 13 wherein said component (c) is a combination ofcitric acid and acetic acid.
 15. The composition of claim 14 comprisingin the range of about 8% to 13% by weight of said acidic acid.
 16. Thecomposition of claim 13 comprising in the range of about 17% to 24% byweight of said acetic acid.
 17. The composition of claim 16, comprisingin the range of about 6% to 10% by weight of dipotassium carbonate. 18.The composition of claim 17, comprising in the range of about 2% to 3%by weight of tetra potassium pyrophosphate.
 19. The composition of claim18 comprising in the range of about 3% to 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate.20. The composition according to claim 19 comprising in the range ofabout .5% to 1.5% softening agent.
 21. A method for the production forflame retardant composition wherein the following components are addedin sequence to a vessel under stirring; (a) water in an amount at leastsufficient to dissolve the following (b) to (e) water soluble componentsup to an amount to be non corrosive, (b) a highly concentrated alkali,selected from a group, consisting of at least one of, or a combinationthereof, of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or lithiumhydroxide, (c) at least one of, or a combination thereof, of anhydrouscitric acid, citric acid, acetic acid or a related salt thereto, (d) aphosphate, (e) an alkali metal salt or compound selective from at leastone of, or in combination with lithium, sodium and/or potassium cationin combination with at least one of an acetate, bicarbonate, carbonateand/or hydroxide anion, whereby the added components are adapted suchthat the final product has a pH value within the range of 6.5 to 7.5 anda density within the range of 1.2 to 1.4.
 22. A method for theproduction for flame retardant composition wherein a method forproducing a fire retardant composition characterized in that thefollowing components are added in sequence to the vessel under stirring:(k) water; (I) potassium hydroxide; (m) acidic acid; (n) citric acid;(o) dipotassium carbonate; (p) tetra potassium pyro phosphate (q) sodiumhydrogen carbonate; (r) softener whereby, the added components areadapted such that the final product has a pH value within the intervalof 6.5 to 7.5 and a density within the range of 1.2 to 1.4.
 23. Themethod according to claim 22, characterised in that the components addedunder stirring are simultaneously influenced by an energy wave,generated mechanically, during the simultaneous influence of a variablemagnetic field, applied externally.
 24. The fire retardant compositionof claim 1 further comprising an expansion agent, propellant orcompressed gas to produce a fire retardant foam. 25-26. (canceled) 27.The method according to claim 21, characterised in that the componentsadded under stirring are simultaneously influenced by an energy wave,generated mechanically, during the simultaneous influence of a variablemagnetic field, applied externally.